MLB Rumors: Nationals getting in on Wade Davis chase
According to a report from Jon Heyman, the Washington Nationals are joining the Chicago Cubs in pursuit of Kansas City Royals reliever Wade Davis.
Action finally began to heat up in Major League Baseball on Tuesday. With the Boston Red Sox acquiring ace pitcher Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox, teams have begun to get serious about making other moves now that pieces are beginning to fall in place. The Washington Nationals were the one team that many thought would land Sale, but they lost out. However, they aren’t done chasing big names yet. They could be in the market for Kansas City Royals reliever Wade Davis.
According to Jon Heyman, the Washington Nationals are joining the Chicago Cubs in pursuit of Davis. While the Nationals have a strong starting staff, they’re really looking for some arms to bolster their bullpen and help put them over the hump in the National League.
Nats indeed are trying for wade Davis, joining cubs in pursuit @jaysonst on it
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
The rumors of Washington going after Davis come after reports of the Cubs being close to landing Davis. Then Jeff Passan reported that there was a snag in the deal and it appears that the race is back open for teams trying to land the reliever.
There could be a snag in the Wade Davis-to-the-Cubs deal, according to a source. Never was done and far from a certain thing at this point.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2016
After not landing Sale, the Nationals still have the prospects to trade for a guy like Davis in any deal with Kansas City. They might not have gotten an ace in the deal, but being able to land strong bullpen help is a nice consolation.
Both the Cubs and Nationals are teams that are seen as strong contenders in the National League next season. Therefore it’s looking like it could turn into an arms race between both teams via free agency and trades.
The Cubs still have to lock down their bullpen next season as well. They have yet to come to terms with Aroldis Chapman and getting someone to help late in games is a high priority for them after their first World Series in over a century.